Pry Bar Assembly

ABSTRACT

A pry bar assembly includes a plate that is elongated and has a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. The plate includes a claw section, a chisel section and a middle section positioned therebetween. The claw section includes the first end and a rounded heel. The claw section includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is attached to the middle section and curves upwardly and away from the middle section in a semi-cylindrical shape to form the rounded heel. The second portion extends downwardly from the first portion. The chisel section is angled upwardly from the middle section. The upper surface has an elongated crest therein that is spaced from the first and second lateral edges and extends along a length of the middle section and into the chisel section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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1.5 (d) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE. OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC ORAS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Descriptionof Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and1.98.

The disclosure and prior art relates to tools utilized for removingframing, wall structures, decking and the like and more particularlypertains to a construction wrecking tool for assisting a person inpulling apart structures typically held together by nails and other likefasteners.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a plate that is elongated and has a first end, asecond end, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an uppersurface and a lower surface. The plate includes a claw section, a chiselsection and a middle section positioned between the claw and chiselsections. The claw section includes the first end and the chisel sectionincludes the second end and a rounded heel. The claw section includes afirst portion and a second portion. The first portion is attached to themiddle section and curves upwardly and away from the middle section in asemi-cylindrical shape to form the rounded heel. The second portionextends downwardly from the first portion. The chisel section is angledupwardly from the middle section. The upper surface has an elongatedcrest therein that is spaced from the first and second lateral edges andextends along a length of the middle section and into the chiselsection.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may he better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may he better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will he described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a pry bar assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosuretaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosuretaken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosuretaken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, a new structure deconstruction device embodying theprinciples and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the pry bar assembly 10generally comprises a plate 12 that is elongated and has a first end 14,a second end 16, a first lateral edge 18, a second lateral edge 20 anupper surface 22 and a lower surface 24. It should be understood thatthe terms such “upper” and “lower” are being utilized to facilitateclarity when describing the assembly 10 but as the assembly 10 may beused in any direction or orientation these terms should not beconsidered either definitive or static. The plate 12 extends laterallygenerally between 10.0 inches and 24.0 inches though the plate 12 islonger along its surface due to bends positioned therein. Also, whilethis would he a typical length, a length greater than thus, such as up36.0 inches may be feasible. The plate 12 includes a claw section 26, achisel section 28 and a middle section 30 positioned between the claw 26and chisel 28 sections. As can be seen in the Figures, the middlesection 30 may comprise the narrowest portion of the plate 12 whereinthe first 18 and second 20 lateral edges diverge from each other as theyextend from the middle section 30 to either of the first 14 or second 16ends. The first end 14 has a width typically between 3.5 inches and 5.0inches and the second end 16 typically has a width between 2.0 inchesand 3.0 inches though other sizes may he useful depending upon usage.The middle section 30 may have a width between 1.0 inch and 2.0 inchesfrom the first lateral edge 18 to the second lateral edge 20.

The claw section 26 includes the first end 14 and the chisel section 28includes the second end 16. Moreover, as may typically be found on a prybar, the claw section 26 may include a rounded heel 32. The middlesection 30 may be substantially straight from the chisel section 28 tothe claw section 26 such that the first 18 and second 20 lateral edgesof the middle section 30 lie in a shared horizontal plane.

The claw section 26 includes a first portion 34 and a second portion 36.The first portion 34 is attached to the middle section 30 and curvesupwardly and away from the middle section 30 in a semi-cylindrical shapeto form the rounded heel 32. The second portion 36 extends downwardlyfrom the first portion 34 such that the shared horizontal plane 38 ofthe middle section 30 intersects the second portion 36. The secondportion 36 lies in a plane 40 orientated perpendicular to the sharedhorizontal plane 38. FIG. 2 depicts these planes 38, 40 from a sideview.

The second portion 36 of the claw section 26 has an aperture 42extending therethrough. The aperture 42 has an upper edge 44, a loweredge 46, a first side edge 48 and a second side edge 50. A pry panel 52is integrally attached to and extends between the upper 44 and lower 46edges. The pry panel 52 is bowed inwardly toward the second end 16. Moreparticularly, the pry panel 52 may form a triangle wherein the pry panel52 forms two legs and the third kg is a plane of the aperture 42. Thepry panel 52 includes a short leg 54 and a long leg 56 where the shortleg 54 is positioned nearer to the first portion 34. The long leg 56 mayform an angle with a plane of the aperture 42 between 20° and 25° whilethe short leg 54 may form an angle with the plane of the aperture 42between 40° and 50°. The aperture is generally rectangular shaped andmay have a length and a width each between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches.

The chisel section 28 is angled upwardly from the middle section 30.More specifically, the chisel section 28, from the middle section 30 tothe second end 16, is angled upwardly to form an angle 56 between about20° and 30° with respect to the shared plane 38. This will provide moreleverage when the chisel section 28 is used to remove fasteners or is tohe extended between two structural components typically held together bynails, screws and the like.

The first end 14 is tapered to a sharpened edge wherein the lowersurface 24 adjacent to the first end 14 is angled toward the uppersurface 22. A notch 58 extends into the first end 14 and is positionedbetween the first 18 and second 20 lateral edges,

The second end 16 is tapered to a sharpened edge wherein the uppersurface 22 adjacent to the second end 16 is angled toward the lowersurface 24. A notch 60 extends into the second end 16 and is positionedbetween the first 18 and second 20 lateral edges. The notch 58 in thefirst end 14 and the notch 60 in the second end 16 are each V-shaped andform angles between 15° and 25°. Each of the first 14 and second 16 endsforms angle being between about 15° and 25°.

The claw section 26 has a pair of indentations 62 therein extending intothe upper surface 22 which causes bowing outwardly of correspondingareas in the lower surface 24. The indentations 62 are laterally spacedfrom each other. The indentations are positioned 62 in the secondportion 36, opposite the first edge 14 and adjacent to the heel 32. Theupper surface 22 of the claw section 26 includes a pair of ridges 64that are laterally spaced from each other and are positioned in thefirst portion 34. The ridges 64 cause corresponding depressions on thelower surface as can be seen in FIG. 4. The upper surface 22 has anelongated crest 66 therein. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crest66 is spaced from the first 18 and second lateral 20 edges and the crest66 extends along a length of the middle section 30 and into the chiselsection 28. FIG. 3 depicts an elongated channel corresponding, to thecrest 66. The crest 66, ridges 64 and depressions 62 each strengthen theplate 12 to prevent its bending along these points when force is placedon the first end 14, second end 16, or heel 32. The crest 66, ridges 64and depressions 62 each have curved lower 24 and upper 22 surfaces tofurther add rigidity to the plate 12.

In use, the pry bar assembly 10 is used in a conventional manner forremoving fasteners, such as nails, and for pulling apart structuralcomponents and thus act as a “wrecking” tool for deconstructionpurposes. However, the unique shape of the assembly 10 provides forgreater strength as the plate 12 will not easily bend while being used.This allows the assembly 10 to be more light weight and have a thicknessof less than 0.17 inches.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may he resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

1. A pry bar assembly configured for deconstructing a structure heldtogether by fasteners, the pry bar assembly comprising: an elongatedplate comprising a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an uppersurface and a lower surface, a claw section disposed at a first end, achisel section disposed at a second end, and a middle section positionedbetween the claw section and chisel section; the claw section comprisinga rounded heel, a first portion attached to the middle section andcurving upwardly from the middle section to the rounded heel, and asecond portion extending downwardly from the rounded heel; wherein thechisel section is angled upwardly from the middle section; and wherein(1) the upper surface comprises an elongated crest spaced from the firstand second lateral edges or (2) the second portion of the claw sectioncomprises an integrally attached pry panel having a first leg and asecond leg each leg angled inwardly toward the second end.
 2. The prybar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the middle section isstraight from the chisel section to the claw section such that the firstand second lateral edges lie in a shared horizontal plane.
 3. The prybar assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of theclaw section extends downwardly from the rounded heel such that theshared horizontal plane intersects the second portion, the secondportion lying in a plane orientated perpendicular to the sharedhorizontal plane.
 4. The pry bar assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe first end is tapered to a sharpened edge and comprises a notchextending into the second portion of the claw section and beingpositioned between the first and second lateral edges.
 5. The pry barassembly according to claim 4, wherein the second end is tapered to asharpened edge and comprises a notch extending into the chisel sectionand being positioned between the first and second lateral edges, thenotch in the first end and the notch in the second end each beingV-shaped.
 6. The pry bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clawsection further comprises a pair of indentations extending into theupper surface and bowing outwardly corresponding areas in the lowersurface, the indentations being laterally spaced from each other, theindentations being positioned in the second portion of the claw sectionnear the rounded heel.
 7. The pry bar assembly according to claim 1,wherein the second portion of the claw section comprises an apertureextending therethrough and comprises the pry panel; wherein the aperturecomprises an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a secondside edge; wherein the pry panel is integrally attached to and extendingbetween the upper and lower edges of the aperture.
 8. The pry barassembly according to claim 6, wherein the claw section furthercomprises a pair of laterally spaced apart ridges disposed on the uppersurface of the first portion of the claw section.
 9. The pry barassembly according to claim 1, the claw section further comprises a pairof laterally spaced apart ridges disposed on the upper surface of thefirst portion of the claw section.
 10. The pry bar assembly of claim 7wherein the first leg of the pry panel is disposed at an angle of20°-25° and the second leg of the pry panel disposed at an angle of bothangles relative to a plane in which the aperture is disposed and whereinthe first leg is longer than the second leg.
 11. The pry bar assembly ofclam 1 wherein the upper surface of at least part of the first portionof the claw section is concave and the upper surface of the rounded heelis convex.
 12. The pry bar assembly of claim 1 wherein the first portionof the claw section comprises a main body and a pair of laterally spacedapart ridges; wherein the upper surface of the main body is convex; andwherein the upper surface of the laterally spaced apart ridges isconcave.
 13. The pry bar assembly of claim 2 wherein the chisel sectionis angled upwardly from the middle section at an angle of 20°-30°relative to the shared horizontal plane.
 14. The pry bar assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the elongated crest extends along a length of the middlesection and into the chisel section.
 15. The pry bar assembly of claimwherein the upper surface comprises the elongated crest and the secondportion of the claw section comprises the integrally attached pry panel.16. The pry bar assembly of claim 15 wherein the first leg of the prypanel is disposed at an angle of 20°-25° and the second leg of the prypanel disposed at an angle of 40°-50°, both angles relative to a planein which the aperture is disposed and wherein the first leg is longerthan the second leg.
 17. The pry bar assembly of claim 16 wherein theelongated crest extends along a length of the middle section and intothe chisel section.
 18. The pry bar assembly of claim 1 wherein themiddle section is substantially straight.
 19. The pry bar assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second lateral edges in the middle sectionare substantially parallel to each other.
 20. The pry bar assembly ofclaim 19 wherein the second portion of the claw section is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the middle section,
 21. The pry barassembly of claim 15 wherein the first leg of the pry panel is longerthan the second leg of the pry panel.
 22. The pry bar assembly of claim21 wherein the first leg comprises a first end disposed near the roundedheel and an inwardly extending second end; wherein the second legcomprises a first end disposed near the first end of the plate and aninwardly extending second end; and wherein the second end of the secondleg is connected to the second end of the first leg.
 23. The pry barassembly of claim 5 wherein the claw section further comprises a pair ofindentations extending into the upper surface and bowing outwardlycorresponding areas in the lower surface, the indentations beinglaterally spaced from each other, the indentations being positioned inthe second portion of the claw section near the rounded heel; whereinthe second portion of the claw section comprises an aperture extendingtherethrough and comprises the pry panel, wherein the aperture comprisesan upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge,wherein the pry panel is integrally attached to and extending betweenthe upper and lower edges; wherein the upper surface of the claw sectionfurther comprises a pair of ridges, the ridges being laterally spacedfrom each other and being positioned in the first portion; and whereinthe upper surface comprises the elongated crest and the elongated crestextends along a length of the middle section and into the chiselsection.